Keeping pets healthy in our community

Keeping our pets happy and healthy is part of being a pet owner. We give them the best foods, toys, veterinary care, treats, and more, but the increasing cost of veterinary care means many pet owners must make compromising decisions about their pet’s care.

Pet owners shouldn’t have to compromise on the quality of care their pet receives, which is why we launched Healthy Pets Plus in 2025.

Healthy Pets Plus is a new approach to wellness services, provided through our Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur, aimed at expanding access to veterinary care for owned pets in Colorado. The goal of this service is to combat barriers to pet care by providing general wellness exams and helping pet owners address minor medical concerns with their pets.

We’ve seen that our community is receptive to this expanded wellness exam, giving them guidance, and identifying concerning conditions earlier. Dr. Tong at our Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur highlights the importance of services like Healthy Pets Plus. “We frequently see owners who come to Healthy Pets Plus for heartworm testing after experiencing financial hardship, such as losing a job. Many of them share that they can no longer afford to visit their regular veterinarian but still want to continue providing good care for their pets.”

Healthy Pets Plus provides consultations for a variety of concerns such as dentals, mammary masses, and skin conditions. Treatment plans are recommended with follow up care options through our Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur. One patient came to Healthy Pets Plus with skin lesions on their left thigh. When the lesions did not improve, but got worse, we did additional testing through our Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur. The cytology revealed a mast cell tumor was the cause, and we surgically removed the tumor.

Programs like Healthy Pets Plus allow families to maintain essential preventative care and ensure their pets continue to receive quality care and veterinary attention during difficult times.

We are grateful to the Animal Assistance Foundation for their contribution to our programs and services. This year, the Animal Assistance Foundation’s $20,000 gift, designated to Healthy Pets Plus, helps lower the barrier to veterinary care, allowing us to provide high-quality care for pets in our community, and help owners who may be hesitant to pursue costly diagnostics get a better understanding of their pet’s medical needs and treatment plan.